Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature Review

We report a rare case of Listeria monocytogenes rhombencephalitis with brainstem abscess in a previously healthy adult amid a nationwide outbreak linked to deli meat. The 56-year-old man exhibited rapid neurologic deterioration, requiring intensive care and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Diagnostic i...

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Main Authors: Brenton T. Bicknell, Chandler Davis, Kimberly Y. Chieh, Amit Arora, Roger D. Smalligan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American College of Physicians 2025-05-01
Series:Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
Online Access:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.1291
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author Brenton T. Bicknell
Chandler Davis
Kimberly Y. Chieh
Amit Arora
Roger D. Smalligan
author_facet Brenton T. Bicknell
Chandler Davis
Kimberly Y. Chieh
Amit Arora
Roger D. Smalligan
author_sort Brenton T. Bicknell
collection DOAJ
description We report a rare case of Listeria monocytogenes rhombencephalitis with brainstem abscess in a previously healthy adult amid a nationwide outbreak linked to deli meat. The 56-year-old man exhibited rapid neurologic deterioration, requiring intensive care and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Diagnostic imaging confirmed multiple brainstem abscesses, and aggressive antibiotics stabilized his condition. This case underscores the importance of prompt recognition and treatment of neurolisteriosis, especially in foodborne outbreaks, as well as the potential for severe complications in otherwise healthy individuals, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance even among patients who are not immunocompromised.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
spelling doaj-art-655da04ad60e4a44aff92fabf6c1afc82025-08-20T03:11:20ZengAmerican College of PhysiciansAnnals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases2767-76642025-05-014510.7326/aimcc.2024.1291Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature ReviewBrenton T. Bicknell0Chandler Davis1Kimberly Y. Chieh2Amit Arora3Roger D. Smalligan41UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Huntsville Regional Campus, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Huntsville, Alabama1UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Huntsville Regional Campus, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Huntsville, Alabama1UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Huntsville Regional Campus, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Huntsville, Alabama2Neurology Consultants of Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama3Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham—Huntsville, Huntsville, AlabamaWe report a rare case of Listeria monocytogenes rhombencephalitis with brainstem abscess in a previously healthy adult amid a nationwide outbreak linked to deli meat. The 56-year-old man exhibited rapid neurologic deterioration, requiring intensive care and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Diagnostic imaging confirmed multiple brainstem abscesses, and aggressive antibiotics stabilized his condition. This case underscores the importance of prompt recognition and treatment of neurolisteriosis, especially in foodborne outbreaks, as well as the potential for severe complications in otherwise healthy individuals, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance even among patients who are not immunocompromised.https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.1291
spellingShingle Brenton T. Bicknell
Chandler Davis
Kimberly Y. Chieh
Amit Arora
Roger D. Smalligan
Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature Review
Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
title Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature Review
title_full Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature Review
title_fullStr Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature Review
title_short Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Rhombencephalitis and Brainstem Abscess During a National Outbreak: Case Report and Literature Review
title_sort foodborne listeria monocytogenes rhombencephalitis and brainstem abscess during a national outbreak case report and literature review
url https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.1291
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